Refinery fitting



June 28, 1960 YOUNG ETAL 2,942,754

REFINERY FITTING Filed May 20, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Henry 56/7 You/77 lave/we W Edda/back INVENTORS June 28, 1960 H. B. YOUNG ETA!- 2,942,754

REFINERY FITTING Filed May 20, 19,57 3 Sheets5heec 2 Henry Ben ou/7g [aver/7e l V. Edda/"back INVENTORS BY Z W ATTOfi/VE y June 28, 1960 H. B. YOUNG ETA!- 2,942,754

en/y Ben V0 0/? H Lave/we WB/k/er ac INVENTOR ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofice 2,942,754 Patented June 28, 1960 REFINERY FITTING Henry Ben Young, Houston, and Laverne W. Bilderback,

Rosenberg, Tex., assignors to ACE Industries, Incorporated, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New Jersey Filed May 20, 1957, Ser. No. 660,250

7 Claims. (Cl. 220--40) This invention relates to refinery fittings and particularly to the removing of plugs from such fittings.

Many of the fittings designed for refinery use have a removable plug closing a tapered aperture. The plug is removed periodically to inspect the condition of the inside of the still. In some instances, the distillation products may form a coke deposit thereby making removal of the plug difficult.

In the fitting of the present invention, a plug having an integral axial stem is retained in position by inter-engaged holding means which comprises an outer holding memher having a bayonet type locking connection with the Wall of the fitting and an inner tubular hollow screw which exerts direct pressure on the top of the plug. In addition to the lugs for the bayonet type locking means, the wall of the fitting is provided with locating lugs which cooperate with a stop on the bottom of the outer holding member to position the outer holding member. Therefore, when the holding member is turned in a clockwise direction, the lugs of the holding member are positioned directly under the lugs of the skirt of the fitting, and a downward force can be applied to tighten the plug, and when the holding member is turned in a counterclockwise direction, the lugs of the holding member are again positioned directly under the lugs of the fitting and an upward force can be applied to loosen the plug. The

axial stem of the plug extends through the tubular screw and means are provided on the end of the stem so that as the tubular screw is turned in a counterclockwise direction, it contacts the plug removing means and thereby exerts an upward force on the plug removing it from its seat.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved fitting having a tapered opening and a plug closing said opening in which the removal of the plug is facilitated.

An important object is to provide a means facilitating removal of the plug from a refinery fitting.

A more specific object is to provide a refinery fitting with a bayonet type holding means which when turned in a clockwise position will line up the lugs of the holding member and skirt for exerting thrust in a downward direction and when turned counterclockwise will realign the lugs to exert force in an upward direction on plug pulling means.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of'the illustrative embodiment about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for the purposes of illustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a return bend fitting, partially in section, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a return bend fitting of Fig. 1 having twin access apertures, one of which is open and the other of which is closed;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing the plug being removed.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a modified means of plug removal.

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing a modified form of plug removal means.

Referring more particularly to the drawing by means of the reference characters placed thereon, the numeral 10 designates generally a return bend fitting which incorporates a closure conforming to the teachings of the present invention. While a return bend fitting is illustrated, the invention may be applied to any of the numerous types of terminal refinery fittings having a plug closing an aperture.

The fitting 10 comprises a body 12 provided with twin apertures 14 and 16. As is clear in Figs. 2 and 3, the aperture 16 is shown open while the aperture 14 is sealed by means of a plug 18 retained in place through the cooperative action of a holding member 20, a tubular screw 22, and a thrust ring 24 as will be described hereinafter.

The body 12 has twin barrels 26, each having a tube hole 28 for receiving a tube 30. The tube 30 may be expanded into the hole 28 or secured in any other conventional manner as is well known in the art. The tubes 30, 30 communicate with each other through a chamber 32 defined within the conjoined barrels 26.

The apertures 14 and 16 are each located on an axis of one of the tube holes 28, and each of the barrels 26 is provided with a skirt-like extension 34 extending coaxially beyond the aperture 14 or 16 therein. Directing attention particularly to the skirt portion 34 associated with the aperture 16 and illustrated on the right in Figs. 2 and 3, it will be observed that the portion 34 is provided with three inwardly extending lugs 36 spaced equidistantly around the inside of the skirt 34. The lugs have coplanar undercut bearing surfaces 38 normal to the axis of the aperture. 'Each skirt portion 34 is also provided with three locating lugs 40 shaped as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing. The locating lugs are formed adjacent of respective apertures 14 and 16 so as to leave spaces 42 between the locating lugs 40 and the lugs 36 immediately thereabove. surface which stabilizes the outer holding member 20 and prevents it from becoming cocked during assembly.

The apertures 14 and 16 are preferably of identical shape, each being defined primarily by a conical surface 44 which converges toward the interior of the body 12. The inner edges of the aperture may be relieved as at 46 to avoid leaving a sharp or rough edge.

Identical plugs 18 are provided for the apertures 14 and 16. The shape is clearly illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5 from which it will be noted that the plugs 18 are provided with conical surfaces which interfit with the conical surfaces formed in the body. Each plug 18 has an external integral axial stem 50. Adjacent the base of each stem 54} there is formed an annular seat 52 having a spherical-like contour as shown in Fig. 3.

The holding member 26 is generally ring-shaped and has internal threads 54. terior lugs 56 spaced equidistantly therearound. The lugs 56 have coplanar upper bearing surfaces 58 for engagement with the surfaces 38 of the aforementioned lugs 36. Each lug includes a peripherally elongated re taining portion 60 having a depth which is less than a" The lugs 40 form a It is provided with three ex depending stop portion 62 i phig 18 extracted.

a says-t means.

' 'Ihe t'ubular sorew 22 is provided withexternal threads engageable with the aforementioned. threads 54 of the holding member- 20. The screw 22 has an internal bore 66 for accommodation of the axial stem 50 of the plug 18. The upper end of the screw 22 is provided with a hexagonal extension 68 for wrenching purposes; The lower end of the screw 22 is formed to provide an annular seat 70 having a spherical-like contour generally similar to. that of the previously described seat 52; It will be observed that the seat 52 on the plug 18 and the seat 70 on the screw 22 have the annular thrust ring 24 interposed between them, and that the thrust ring 24 is provided with spherical-like surfaces for mating and centering engagement with the parts 18 and 22.

The manner of using the present invention is generally apparent from the drawings. Normally the plug118 is firstinserted into the appropriate aperture and the thrust 7 ring 24 is slipped over the stem 50. The screw 22 and the holding member may be initially engaged by hand and handled as an assembly in slipping them over the stem 50 and into the skirt portion 34. The lug 56 having the stop 62 is aligned with the indicia 72 .on the skirt.

The lugs 56 of the holding member 20 passes between the lugs 36 of the body 12. The lugs provide a, S irface which prevents cocking of the holding member 29 during assembly. A simple twist of theholding member 20 in a clockwise direction is suihcient to dispose V the stop portion 62 against the locating lug 40 whereupon each of the surfaces 58 of the lugs 56 will be opposed by bearing surface 38 of a lug 36 forming a bayonet type locking means. The screw 22 may then be turned by hand until the surfaces 38 and 58 are snugly interlockwhich will engage the locating lugs 40 as will be thereinafter described. The lugs 56' and 36 work together to form a bayonet type locking 4 will force the wedge 78 between the top of the tubular screw 22 and the collar 76 dislodging the plug 18 from its seat.

Fig. 6 shows a modification .of the plug removal means. In this form, the upper end of the axial stem 50 is provided with left handed threads 80 and a nut 82 threadingly engaged therewith; To remove the plug, the tubular screw 22 is loosened sufliciently to permit the holding member 20 to be turned in a counterclockwise direction until the stop 62 contacts the next, QOllIltfiI'QlQGkr wire locating lug'40 realigning the lugs 56 and 36. Further turning of the tubular screw 22 in a counterclockwise direction will cause the tubular screw 22 to contact the nut 82and exert suflicient force to dislodge the plug 18. After the plug 18 has been dislodged, the holding member 20 is turned in a clockwise direction to align the lugs 56 with the openings between the lugs 36 and the entire assembly of holding means and plug removed.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangements of the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing any of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

We claim: I

1. A. fittin i g a tap apertu e surrounded y an. ex ernalskirt p i n ex end ng cdaxially beyo d said per e. said Skirt being fo me 'r t sp d projec i n about its inner periphery,,a tapered plug closing said aperturasaid plug having an integral axial stem extending well beyond said skirt portion, holding means through which said stem extends, said ,holding'means comprising ingly engaged. A.wrench (not shown) may be used on the hexagonal extension 68 to seat the plug 18 as firmly.

as desired. 7 7

. A problem heretofore ofttimes encountered with devices of the-general character described has been the difliculty of readily removing the plugs from the fitting for inspec- .tion, cleaning, or the removing of the tubes.

After extended periods of use, particularly when used in the heating or cracking of petroleum under high pressure, it 7 has been found that the plug 18 frequently remains firmly seated. or frozen after the various plug holding means 20, 26 have been removed. a r

e In order to facilitate removal of the plug 18, removal means have been provided. The upper portion of the 'Vaxial' stem is provided with a neck 74 of reduced diameter. A horseshoe shaped removing collar 76 is placed about the'neck 74, see Figs..1 and 4.' In' order to remove the plug, the tubular screw 20'is turned coun- .terlclockwise; this places'thestop 62 against the face of the next counterclockwise locating lug 40. In this posh tion the lugs/56 on the holding member 20 are againaligned with the lugs 36 of the skirt portion 34. A's

' "the tubular'screw 22 isturned in a counterclockwise direction, it will move toward the end of the stem and 'contact'the horseshoe collar 76 thereby exerting a vertical pulling 'force upon the plug 18 to remove it from its seat, see Fig. 4. Once the plug 18 has been loosened from the seat, the holding member 20 can be turned in a clockwise direction to align the lug 56 with theopenings between'the lugs 36 'and'the holding member 20' and the-tubular scre w22 can then be removed and the ,Instead of'relyingupon the mechanical advantage of the threads, the tubular. screw 22 can be turned in' a counterclockwise direction suificiently to realign the lugs 56 'of'the holding member 23 with the lugs 36 of the a ring like, holding member having external projections for engaging and interlocking with the said internal pro jections' of the 'skirt for'removably retaining the'holding member within the skirt and having internal'threads, and

a tubular scre'w having external threads mating with 7 said internal threads, the holding member and skirt por-.

tion being provided with mutually engageable elements efifective to prevent turning of the holding member beyond an interlocked position with the skirt portion, when the holding member is rotated in a clockwise direction and effective to prevent turning of the holding member' beyond a second interlocked position within the skirt the top of the tubular screw'to' remove the plug from its aperture.

'4. Fora'fitting having a tapered aperture surrounded by an external skirt portion extending coaxially beyond said aperture, with atapered plug having an integral axial stem closing said aperture, the plug being held in.

position by intereugaged threaded members removably disposed at least in part within said skirt portion, said threaded members comprising. an. internally threaded member and an externally threaded tubular screw, the

internally threaded memberh avingformations about its outer periphery which. engages with internal projection about the skirt to form a breech lock connegt blh a a means for removing said plug comprising: cooperable wh n, the screw s r a ed a counte clockwi e d tion and meanson the axially extending elements on said internally threaded 'member and. skirt to prevent turning of the internally threaded member beyondan interlocked position within the skirt when the screw is rotated. in a clockwise directionjandto hold it in a second interlocked position within the ."kir-t gage with the tubular screw as the tubular screw is further rotated in a counterclockwise direction.

5. The plug removal means specified in claim 4 characterized in that the axial stem is provided with a neck portion of reduced diameter and a U-shaped collar of greater diameter than the stem is placed thereabout.

6. The plug removal means specified in claim 4 characterized in that the end of the axial stem is threaded and a nut of greater diameter than said stem is threadedly engaged therewith.

7. A fitting having a tapered aperture surrounded by an external skirt portion extending coaxially beyond said aperture, said skirt being formed with spaced projections about its inner periphery, a tapered plug for closing said aperture, said plug being of lesser diameter than the internal diameter of the area defined by the spaced projections to permit its passage therethrough, said plug also having an integral axis stem extending well beyond said skirt portion, holding means through which said stem extends, said holding means comprising a ring like holding member having external projections for engaging and interlocking with the said internal projections of the skirt for removably retaining the holding member within the skirt and having internal threads, and a tubulat screw having external threads mating with said internal threads, said tubular screw having means to contact the plug whereby the tubular screw may be axially threaded through the ring like holding member towards the plug disposed in the aperture to seat the plug in the aperture, the holding member and skirt portion being provided with mutually engageable elements eflective to prevent turning of the holding member beyond an interlocked position within the skirt portion when the screw moves axially toward the aperture and efiective to prevent turning of the holding member beyond a second interlocked position within the skirt portion when the screw moves axially away from the aperture, and plug removing means associated with the stem so that as the tubular screw moves axially away from the aperture, it will strike the plug removing means and lift the plug from the aperture.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,645,046 Gallagher Oct. 11, 1927 1,683,726 Pierce Sept. 11, 1928 2,785,829 Bilderback Mar. 19, 1957 

